SANDAG and the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) have released a report analyzing three critical quality of life indicators – economy, environment and equity – that affect the region’s long-term prosperity, and competitiveness.
The 2005 Indicators of Sustainable Competitiveness Report reveals how well San Diego’s quality of life stacks up against 18 similar metro regions, revealing where we excel and where we fall short, as well as how we’ve done since a similar study in 2001. According to the latest results, San Diego sustainable competitiveness ranks ninth overall, the same as it did in 2001. The Seattle area ranked first in the report (up from number five in 2001), followed by Denver, Portland, Raleigh, and Austin. At the bottom of the list were Phoenix, Sacramento, Tampa, Orange County, and Washington, D.C.
Our quality-of-life indicators also show that our region is out of balance, with high scores on the environment, average rankings on the economy, and serious deficiencies in the equity element. “A region can’t sustain its competitiveness for investment and prosperity if we fail to achieve high marks in all three elements,” said EDC President and CEO Julie Meier Wright. “The nature of competitiveness has changed. Regions do not just compete on the basis of a strong economy, and today environmental and social equity issues are equally important. Together, they provide the balance that creates a quality of life that is sustainable.”
The environment is our strongest suit. San Diego does well in most of the environment indicators, as represented by per capita investment in sewer, solid waste and water utilities and habitat preservation. The region’s overall ranking was #1, tied with Seattle.
In what will be surprising to some, San Diego ranks 9th and falls in the middle of the pack on the economy. We continue to have a strong showing in some knowledge-based economy measures, like venture capital funding, initial public offerings and patenting. But our economic ranking is dragged down by lack of investments in economic and human infrastructure, as exemplified by per capita investment in transportation and goods movement.
The equity element is our poorest showing against our competitors, and is the only indicator where San Diego ranks below the U.S. as a whole. It points out that San Diego urgently must address issues like traffic congestion, public transit investment, cost of housing, and elementary school proficiency in mathematics — factors the report used to measure social equity.
“Clearly there is room for improvement and this report is a call to action,” said SANDAG Chair Mickey Cafagna. “We must tackle the region’s tough issues like affordable housing, quality job growth, and traffic congestion. We all must put aside narrow self interests to ensure the region’s success.”
Project Manager:
Marney Cox
(619) 699-1930
